After missing the first month of his rookie season due to a knee injury, he put together a solid couple of months but then floundered.

He had only one goal in a 44-game stretch that ended with a tally in the season finale. But he put his game, and confidence, back together with a solid performance at the world championships, where he collected a pair of goals and two assists and helped Finland win bronze.

"Confidence is a big thing for me and I got that back in the worlds," Koivu explained.

"I got a lot of ice time and it was a good way to finish the year knowing I was able to play. This is my second year here and I definitely feel a lot more comfortable."

Time was the only cure, Lemaire said. Koivu improved his skating ability from being a "below average" skater to above average.

Plus, he has the size to win physical battles.

Throw in his smarts and Wild veteran Brian Rolston believes Koivu can elevate his game to another level.

"For him to be as young as he is and mature and the way he's playing, the kid's got a bright future ahead of him," Rolston said. "He has tremendous hockey sense."